How to Create Effortless Tousled Waves

Create lived-in waves by scrunching damp hair with texture cream, diffusing or air-drying, then breaking up the pattern with your fingers.

1. Start with the right base. Work texture cream or sea salt spray through damp hair from mid-lengths to ends. Your hair should be about 70% dry—too wet and it won't hold, too dry and the product won't distribute evenly.
2. Create irregular sections. Twist random sections of hair around your finger, varying the size and direction. The key is inconsistency—some pieces clockwise, others counterclockwise, some tight, others loose.
3. Scrunch and set. Cup sections in your palm and scrunch upward toward your scalp. Either diffuse on low heat with minimal airflow or let air dry completely—movement while drying kills the texture.
4. Break up the pattern. Once fully dry, run your fingers through the waves to soften harsh lines and create that slept-in effect. Shake out the roots for volume.